RM

Lab Safety and WHMIS/GHS Vocabulary

Student Responsibilities and General Lab Safety

  • Learning Goal: can apply knowledge and understanding of safe practices and procedures when planning investigations.
  • Goals: apply safety knowledge to investigations and lab planning.

General Lab Safety Rules

  • Do NOT eat or drink in the lab or science classroom.
  • Always wear safety gear as instructed.
  • Report accidents and broken glass immediately; broken glass goes into a special container.
  • Do not pipette by mouth.
  • Do not fool around; act sensibly in the lab.
  • Know emergency procedures.
  • Don’t play mad scientist; follow teacher instructions.
  • When observing odours, WAFT instead of sniffing directly.
  • Dispose of waste chemicals in a special container unless directed otherwise.
  • Tie back long hair.
  • Always stand; never sit during lab activities unless instructed.
  • Wash hands after lab completion and cleanup.
  • Keep benches and floors clear of bags and clutter.
  • Ensure long hair and clothing are secured; avoid loose clothing near flames or equipment.

Homework and Safety Agreement

  • Read the safety rules thoroughly; you are responsible for knowing them.
  • Ask questions if unsure.
  • HOMEWORK: get your parents to sign and return TOMORROW.
  • No form, No labs!

Safety Agreement (Overview)

  • This is a selection of rules you will agree to by signing the safety agreement.
  • The following is a sample of the rules you will encounter.

Lab Procedures and Information Access

  • Read lab procedures before beginning.
  • You should know that the information you seek is in the lab directions.
  • Visual aids reference: imgElp.com (reminds to consult directions and safety notes).

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  • Why wear goggles? To protect eyes from splashes, fumes, and debris.
  • DON’T FORGET TO WEAR A HELMET [Note: in some contexts this is a metaphor for head protection or may be a humorous reminder to wear additional head protection when required].

Food and Drink Policy

  • NEVER bring or consume food or drink in the lab or science classroom.

Equipment and Hazards

  • Never use broken equipment.
  • Use only science containers during labs.
  • Do not put any substance into an open flame unless instructed by the teacher.
  • Do not leave equipment unattended while in use (e.g., bunsen burner).

Spills, Accidents, and Reporting

  • Report all chemical spills to your teacher.
  • Report any accident or injury to your teacher, no matter how small.
  • Follow established procedures for reporting and containment.

Fire Safety and Fire Blanket

  • FIRE BLANKET: Size 1.2 m x 1.2 m.
  • The fire blanket should be used to smother flames when clothing or the object is on fire.
  • Do not reuse blankets that have been used on a fire; dispose of the blanket after use.
  • CLOTHING FIRE protocol: If clothing is on fire, get the victim to the ground and cover with the fire blanket; call medical aid and treat for shock; remain in position until cool.
  • Release tapes on the blanket by pulling downward and outward to remove.
  • In case of clothing fire, STOP, DROP, and ROLL; never run.

Fire and Clothing Safety

  • If clothing catches fire: Stop, Drop, and Roll; use the fire blanket as needed.
  • Do not run if wearing clothing that is on fire.
  • Tie back long hair and loose clothing to prevent catching fire.

Waste Disposal and Lab Hygiene

  • Dispose of chemicals and other substances properly according to teacher instructions.
  • Follow waste disposal procedures strictly; do not dump chemicals down the sink unless directed.

Emergency Procedures

  • Know where to go during: fire alarm, lockdown, tornado.
  • Know how to use safety equipment.
  • Immediately report injuries.
  • Immediately report damaged equipment.

Fire Procedure Details

  • In case of fire:
    • Shut off all gas valves and Emergency Shutoff buttons.
    • Pull the fire alarm and evacuate calmly.
    • If clothing catches on fire, STOP, DROP, and ROLL in the fire blanket.
    • Teacher may attempt to use the fire extinguisher if safe.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Details

  • Must wear closed-toe shoes.
  • Tie back long hair.
  • Remove all items from elbows down (rings, watches, etc.) as required.
  • Use PPE appropriate for the activity.
  • Use heat-resistant gloves or tongs for hot materials.

Bunsen Burner Safety

  • Students should stand when using a Bunsen burner.
  • Light with a flint lighter; do not use matches or lighters.
  • Do not leave unattended.
  • Adjust flame to blue for proper combustion.
  • Do not reach across an open flame.
  • Place the burner at least 30\ \text{cm} away from flammable or combustible substances (including wooden cabinets/shelves and the edge of the lab surface).
  • Do not add substances to an open flame unless directed by the teacher.
  • Allow the burner to cool before putting away.
  • Ensure safe handling and supervision when using flames.

Safety Equipment Location and Awareness

  • Safety classroom equipment scavenger hunt: locate and record in a sheet the following items and their purpose:
    • Eye wash stations
    • Emergency kit
    • Emergency gas shut off
    • Safety shower
    • Broken glass container
    • Fire blanket
    • Fire extinguisher

Aims and Safety Literacy

  • AIMS: List unsafe practices and identify SAFE-T science protocol.
  • Emphasizes WHMIS and GHS basics and safety labeling.

WHMIS – GHS Overview

  • WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System.
  • GHS stands for Globally Harmonized System.
  • The new WHMIS uses universal pictograms to convey hazards and precautions.
  • Activity: Watch the WHMIS basics video and answer questions under the "The Basics" heading; complete the Supplier Labels section.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

  • SDS contents to know:
    • Product Identifier
    • Hazard Pictogram
    • Signal Word
    • Hazard Statement
    • Precautionary Statement
    • Supplier Identifier

Hazard Labels and Symbols (Examples)

  • GAS CYLINDER: Hazard can explode if heated; Precaution: store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area; avoid sudden temperature changes; do not drop. Example: Oxygen cylinder.
  • FLAME: Hazard - flammable or self-reactive; Precaution - keep container tightly closed; Example: Propane.
  • FLAME OVER CIRCLE: Hazard - may cause or intensify a fire; Precaution - ventilate properly, store separately, reduce dust.
  • HEALTH HAZARD: Hazard - carcinogen, mutagen, reproductive toxin, respiratory sensitizer, toxic to target organs & if aspirated; Precaution - work in well-ventilated area, avoid inhalation; Example: Carbon monoxide.
  • SKULL AND CROSSBONES: Hazard - fatal if inhaled, swallowed, or in contact with skin; Precaution - store securely, wear protective gloves; Example: Cyanide.
  • BIOHAZARDOUS: Hazard - living organisms or viruses in living cells that can cause illness or death; Precaution - do not breathe vapours, avoid contamination; Requires special training; Examples: Covid-19, Ebola, HIV, Salmonella.
  • CORROSION: Hazard - damage to eyes, corrosive to metals and skin; Precaution - keep containers closed, wear PPE; Example: Hydrochloric acid.
  • EXCLAMATION MARK: Hazard - irritant to skin, eyes, respiratory tract; Precaution - avoid dust/fumes, wash after handling; Example: Capsaicin, Copper(II) sulfate.
  • EXPLODING BOMB: Hazard - explosive, self-reactive, or projection hazard; Precaution - store separately; Example: Group 1 metals (lithium, sodium).
  • ENVIRONMENT: Hazard - substance can damage aquatic and terrestrial systems; Precaution - dispose of substance properly; Examples: CFCs, Nitrogen oxides.

HHPS (Hazardous Household Product Symbols)

  • HHPS is used to label some home products.
  • The symbol is composed of two parts: SYMBOL and BORDER (explanation of meaning for each part).

Lab Safety Contract and Assessments

  • Lab Safety Contract: required to be signed.
  • Start lab safety poster assignment.
  • The final good copy of the safety poster is due Friday, September 12, 2025.
  • There will be a quiz on WHMIS/SDS/SAFETY RULES (the package completed today) on Friday September 12, 2025.

Real-World Relevance and Ethical Considerations

  • Safe lab practices protect students, instructors, and the community from harm.
  • Adherence to PPE and proper disposal helps prevent environmental contamination and long-term health risks.
  • Understanding WHMIS/GHS improves worker safety in any industry that handles hazardous materials, from schools to manufacturing to healthcare.
  • Ethical implication: responsibility lies with each student to maintain a safe learning environment and to report hazards or injuries promptly.
  • Practical implication: rigorous safety training reduces incident rates and supports reliable experimental outcomes.

Quick Reference Formulas and Numerical References

  • Distance from flammables when using a Bunsen burner: d \ge 30\ \mathrm{cm}
  • Bunsen burner safety: place at least 1.0\ \mathrm{m} from flammables when required by context (note: the explicit distance given in the material is 30\ \mathrm{cm}; treat larger spaces as safer practice).
  • Fire blanket size: 1.2\ \mathrm{m} \times 1.2\ \mathrm{m}
  • Fire blanket usage instructions include: pull tapes to release, drape over flames, switch off heat, leave in position until cool.

Connections to Foundational Principles

  • Risk assessment and control: identify hazards (chemical, physical, biological) and implement controls (PPE, engineering controls, procedures).
  • Scientific method: safety is an integral part of planning investigations and ensuring repeatable, reliable results.
  • Ethics in science: personal responsibility, proper waste disposal, and transparency in reporting incidents.
  • Real-world application: WHMIS/GHS labeling is standard in workplaces handling hazardous materials; SDSs provide critical information for safe handling and emergency response.

Summary and Practical Takeaways

  • Your safety in the lab depends on following rules consistently, wearing PPE, and adhering to procedures.
  • Know how to respond to spills, injuries, and fires; practice emergency drills and know where safety equipment is located.
  • Always verify that you are using correct containers, that equipment is intact, and that you dispose of materials properly.
  • When in doubt, consult procedures and ask the instructor before proceeding.